Part Three of Three: Prayer leads to revival
God’s Word is a multifaceted book. Whatever you need, you can find between its pages, a list of which is too many to mention. During my quiet time, I received a strong unction in my spirit that God is calling His children to pray and seek Him for He desires to hear from us. God the Father wants to hear from His children [1]. God is seeking man [2] to seek Him [3] that He has some wonderful things in store for us who believe [4]. One question remains, have we left our first love?
v1 Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write,
v2 I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars:
v3 And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name's sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted.
v4 Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.
v5 Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent. [Revelation 2:1-5 KJV]
I became a believer when I was eight years old. Then time and peer pressure in high school detoured my devotion. However, it was my unconscious decision and ultimately my fault. No question. I spent the next 40 years in the hog pen and became the Prodigal Son. Oh, I still loved the Lord, but my fruit wasn’t exhibiting that love [5]. I was unaware of it, but I’d just joined the congregation at the church at Ephesus [6].
I’d lost my hunger for God and forgot the memories of the fire that was in my gut and the body numbing presence of the Lord. I wanted His fellowship back. The Good News [7]? God never abandoned me. He was always there [8] waiting for me. After some fervent prayer [9] and strong repentance, I felt the presence of God. He just desired my repentance and allegiance [10]. It was for my benefit anyway, not because He was a tyrannical God demanding obedience.
My gracious heavenly Father, I am so sorry for misplacing the fire that was in my heart for you. With a sorrowful mind I repent of my complacency toward you and ask your forgiveness for my actions. I repent, not because of the consequences of my sin, but for the hopeful return of our fellowship. Lord, I need you and your fellowship. I need you in my life. I thank you for the gifts of your grace and mercy ̶̶ the benefits of your fellowship, none of which I deserve. Father, in these, your last days, please have mercy on us and protect us from those who call good evil and evil good. Protect my family and friends. Lord, I pray that you send your Holy Spirit to share the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ with all unbelievers through your children, because I know that you are not willing that none should perish. The fields are white unto salvation. I pray safety and wisdom for our leaders. We humbly seek your face and ask forgiveness for the mess that mankind is leaving behind. The outcome of which has not been the outcome many of us wanted, namely your children. I thank you for your Word in 1 Thessalonians 5:9 that guarantees us that we won’t suffer your wrath for what is coming. I give you praise, worship, and glory in your Son’s name, AMEN,
Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved [11].
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[1] John 10:27
[2] John 15:16
[3] 2 Chronicles 7:14; Acts 17:25-28
[4] 1 Corinthians 2:9
[5] Luke 15:11-32
[6] Revelation 2:1-5
[7] 1 Corinthians 15:3, 4
[8] Deuteronomy 31:6; Hebrews 13:5
[9] James 5:16
[10] Joel 2:12, 13; Psalms 51:17; 1 Peter 1:16
[11] Acts 16:31
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